Monday, October 27, 2014

The Pros and Cons of Probiotics

The Pros and Cons of Probiotics

Foods fortified with probiotics and probiotic supplements
deliver live bacteria that can help with digestive health. But while the
list of potential benefits of probiotics is growing, there are still
questions about their effectiveness.

When you go to the grocery store nowadays, you’ll likely see a
number of items containing probiotics, so-called "friendly"
microorganisms which are most commonly bacteria, and sometimes a type of
yeast. Manufacturers tout how good they are for you and your digestive
health, and you can now find everything from probiotic yogurt, chocolate, and granola bars, to probiotic supplements and powders lining store shelves.

Though probiotics
might seem like the latest health trend, they are not new, says Susan
Lucak, MD, a gastroenterologist in New York City and a special lecturer
at the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University.
“Probiotics have been consumed by humans in one form or another for more
than 100 years,” Dr. Lucak says.

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Today, the two most common types of probiotics found on the market are species of good bacteria called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. While their manufacturers claim that probiotics have a number of overall and digestive health
benefits, the scientific jury is still out on who should take them.
Probiotics have a good safety record, but studies have not been
performed in individuals who may have compromised immune systems, Lucak
says. And, she adds, if you are a healthy person, “there is no evidence
that probiotics will provide any additional health benefits.” The Many Possible Benefits of Probiotics
Research to determine the full health benefits of probiotics is
ongoing. Studies are looking into a wide range of possibilities, from
whether probiotics can play a role in preventing tooth decay and
periodontal disease to helping treat a variety of medical conditions,
including:

Skin infections and eczema

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Vaginal infections

Urinary tract infections

Stomach and respiratory infections children acquire in day care settings

Antibiotic-related diarrhea

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — patients with ulcerative
colitis appear to respond better to probiotics than those with Crohn’s
disease

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center are even looking at whether probiotics could slow the growth of
certain cancerous tumors. They believe that a better understanding of
the effects of probiotics may lead to the development of probiotic-based
regimens for preventing inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal
cancer.